Abuse lawyer welcomes further conviction of former Catholic priest Dennis Finbow for historic child abuse

Finbow, 77, appeared at Peterborough Crown Court on Monday 14 July, where he admitted 15 counts of indecent assault against five victims – three females and two males – the majority of whom were under the age of 16 at the time. The offences took place between 1975 and 1992.

These admissions come in addition to Finbow’s 2023 conviction for sexually abusing a young girl in the 1980s while working in Dogsthorpe, Peterborough. He is currently serving a six-and-a-half-year prison sentence for that offence and remains on the sex offenders’ register for life.  

The Catholic Church previously removed Finbow’s clerical status following previous convictions. He had not been in active ministry since 2001.

Finbow is due to be sentenced for the additional offences on 15 September 2025.

Leigh Day represents a complainant involved in the earlier proceedings against Finbow and continues to act on behalf of survivors seeking accountability for institutional abuse.

Leigh Day human rights partner Andrew Lord, who is representing a survivor of abuse by Finbow, said:

“These further convictions confirm the widespread and sustained abuse carried out by Dennis Finbow over many years. We commend the bravery of the survivors who have come forward and are glad that Finbow’s guilty plea means that they shall not be subjected to giving evidence in a trial. We continue to support our client in her claim against the Church, as while no legal process can undo the harm caused, public accountability is an important step in the path to justice.”

Survivors who suffered abuse or believe they have information about the allegations relating to Finbow can confidentially contact Andrew Lord at alord@leighday.co.uk